Sleep is an essential part of life: you can relax while still awake, but the brain cannot shut down and rest unless you sleep. Sleep is therefore essential for good health, and any difficulties with sleep may be both a cause and a symptom of mental health problems.
The amount of sleep we need, and its pattern, changes with age. Small babies spend most of their time asleep; children need more sleep than adults, and small children need a nap during the day. Sleep patterns change again during adolescence. Most adults need about 7 or 8 hours sleep per night, although some people seem to need less and some a bit more. Older people often go back to sleeping for shorter periods and have a nap during the day.
University can be a draining and tiring time in a student’s life when it comes to sleeping patterns; with lots of work to keep up on, late nights out and student halls being incredibly loud, how much damage are these students doing, and does it affect their studies?
